Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 1447 Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

"Oh, this place is really nice, exactly as I imagined."

Although Tom Hanks encountered the President in the White House several times in "Forrest Gump", those were all shot on the Paramount studio in Los Angeles. Although the scenes were restored as realistically as possible based on the photos, the feeling is still different.

"Who says it's not? Last time I came here with Kevin (Costner). The White House is probably not awe-inspiring because of its architecture, but the people inside. Okay, we will meet with the First Lady first, and then the President will join us to watch the movie. Afterwards, if they are free, the First Couple will chat with you and take a few photos."

Ronald has brought movies to the White House for screenings several times. Including William, he has shown movies to three presidents and is very familiar with it.

"Ah, welcome to the White House, Tom, how did you play a person of such sexual orientation so realistically? And Denzel, I never thought you would play a role like this in a hundred years."

As the main creators were talking, Mrs. Rodham came over and kindly took the hands of the two leading actors and asked about the filming of the movie. It seems that she is quite knowledgeable about movies.

"I have a friend like that, and then I just listen to the director, plus I go on a strict diet..." Hanks responded gracefully.

"It's simple. I wanted to play the role as soon as I saw the script. Jonathan (Demi) and Ronald told me that they wanted to find a comedian to play the role of the lawyer. I immediately replied, which is great, because I'm very funny..." Denzel Washington is not a comedian. He said this just to express how strong his will is to play this role.

Everyone laughed, but Rodham didn't seem to understand the joke. Although he laughed with everyone with his mouth wide open, there was an obvious look of confusion in his eyes, and he tried to fake a smile to hide his embarrassment.

Ronald saw this and felt that something was wrong. He had to find a way to help her get out of this predicament.

The fact that Donna donated on her behalf during the campaign shows that Mrs. Rodham is not an easy person to get along with. The former first lady only loves her husband and will not embarrass you as long as your zodiac sign matches that of Ronald Sr. The former first lady puts family first, and those who can consider the interests of George's family and help her sons are his good friends.

But it is hard to figure out what Mrs. Rodham wants. Roger Ailes and Ronald's friend Mickey Kanter have both reminded Ronald that you can disrespect the president in the White House, but you must never disrespect Mrs. Rodham.

What will be the result of disrespect? When Mrs. Rodham first entered the White House, she put forward her own opinions on decoration, including the color and style of curtains, the renewal of porcelain, the designated suppliers, and the various pomps required when traveling.

The former White House travel director was replaced by Mrs. Rodham's partner when she was a lawyer in Arkansas because he did not fully agree to some of Mrs. Rodham's requests.

Of course, this former partner of a well-known Arkansas law firm named Vince Foster not only worked in the Travel Office, but also served as legal adviser to the White House.

But not long after, he was investigated after many improper expense reimbursements from the White House Travel Office were exposed, and he was also implicated in a scandal involving a "Whitewater" real estate development project in which the President was involved when he was governor of Arkansas.

Under the attack from both sides, the close friend of the former first couple unfortunately suffered from depression due to excessive psychological pressure and ended his life with a pistol in a park.

Rumor has it in DC political circles that on the day of his death, files related to the Whitewater scandal mysteriously disappeared from his office.

After hearing the story told by Roger Ailes, Ronald decided to make Mrs. Rodham happy, so he immediately stepped in front of Denzel Washington and changed the subject.

"Ma'am, I have shown movies for the owner of the White House before, but this time, I found that many of the decorations here have changed, especially the new curtains, new furniture, and this beautiful tea set. They are all very distinctive and full of southern aesthetics. Can I attribute this change to your combination of the Southern Antebellum style and...well, perhaps the New York Greek Revival style?
This really amazes me..."

"Ah, I'm so glad you noticed it. I got it all myself, every curtain, every piece of furniture, every set of china..."

Mrs. Rodham was quickly diverted. Although she didn't quite understand what the Antebellum style and the Greek Revival style were, it sounded like she had good taste. Ronald also accurately pointed out two important places in her life, New York and Arkansas... One was where she failed the bar exam twice, and the other was where she married William after failing and got her bar license, which was much easier. What a wonderful memory...

Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, both of whom have been in Hollywood for more than a decade, immediately understood the First Lady's character when they saw Ronald using this set of flattery skills. They also joined in and flattered Rodham very happily.

"Ha, dear, I'm glad you had such a good time chatting with those two handsome men..."

Soon, General William also came in and shook hands with everyone. It must be said that this man's charm is almost comparable to that of old Ronald. He talked to people like a friend, making people feel like spring breeze...

"Ronald, please sit next to me. I always like your movies. If there is anything I don't understand, I will ask you."

When everyone sat down waiting for the show, William even asked Ronald to sit next to him, which made him a little stressed.

In the middle of the movie, Ronald noticed that President William was paying close attention to the scenes between Andy, played by Tom Hanks, and his partner, played by Antonio Banderas, and other people's reactions to their intimate behavior.

In other scenes, it was obvious that the commander-in-chief did not care much. He occasionally held his chin in his hand, as if he was thinking about something else.

Mrs. Rodham, on the other hand, was fully engaged and was even moved when Bruce Springsteen's theme song "Streets of Philadelphia" sounded.

When the lights came on in the theater, everyone stood up and applauded. The President said a few words of praise and joked to his press secretary that he would mention his love for "The Philadelphia Story" at the next press conference.

As soon as this statement came out, all the main creators, including director Jonathan Demme, burst into laughter.

But Ronald has seen the world. Back then, Ronald was not joking, but really spoke well of "Top Gun". President William's joke was actually a statement, and he probably wouldn't really do it.

"Ronald, can you talk to me for a minute?"

To Ronald's surprise, the commander-in-chief asked Ronald a question before leaving.

Of course, in the mouth of the most powerful man in America, the real meaning of a question is actually an imperative sentence. Ronald followed, walking half a step behind the president.

"My friend, Hollywood producer Weinstein, once told me that there are many artists with different orientations in Hollywood. Your film seems to treat them equally. Are you going to speak for them?"

"Um?!"

Ronald's hair stood on end at this question, and he immediately perked up and focused. Some of the information in this question surprised him, as if the President had a relationship with Miramax's Weinstein, and he was also interested in minority groups.

Of course, this group is very strong, enthusiastic when voting, and extremely united, and is gradually emerging as an important voting base. But becoming friends with Hollywood's Weinstein? Ronald, the actor-turned-president, didn't seem to be so close to his old friends, right?
The reason for the question was unclear at this time. Ronald hesitated for a second, but decided to take the safest strategy and tell the truth.

"Mr. President, the director of this film, Jonathan Demme, told me that this film is not about these minority people themselves, nor is it directed at... We are talking about how the American judiciary can give these people a fair fight when they are discriminated against..."

"Well said..." The commander nodded slightly. This was the main reason why he wanted to watch the movie today. Besides Rodham wanting to meet Hollywood stars... Although Weinstein was also a Hollywood producer, he didn't have the power to call a first-line star. This made people feel happy. Could Ronald also bring a female star?

"But how do you usually discuss this topic with people in the same circle who have similar orientations?" the commander-in-chief continued to ask.

"Um?!"

This is another sensitive issue. Ronald feels that the President seems to be using the "Philadelphia Story" to push something to happen...

"There aren't many Hollywood actors who can come out of the closet now. Ah, that's what we call..."

"I know what that means..." The commander-in-chief interrupted impatiently...

Ronald felt that he was gradually finding what the President wanted, and he recalled the legislative challenge that David Geffen had been pushing hard during the campaign.

That is to challenge the blue discharge legislation in the army for soldiers with different orientations. This is a law passed during World War II. The army believes that these people are not manly, weak in character, and cannot complete combat missions well. Therefore, once discovered, they will use a code word "blue discharge" to expel these soldiers.

David Geffen wants to overturn this legislation and practice so that brothers and sisters in the military can no longer regard their orientation as a shame...

"In fact, many people, except for their closest friends, do not know their sexual orientation. No matter what doubts we have, as long as the other party does not say it, we will not ask..."

Ronald truthfully spoke about the common practices within Hollywood. Generally, well-educated actors will respect the personal privacy of their companions. No matter it is this kind of thing or dating a female star, as long as the other party does not take the initiative to say it, they will not take the initiative to ask.

"Even if you had reasonable suspicion?"

"Yes, even so, this is a private matter after all. In Hollywood, as long as you act well and do your job well, no one will care about your private life..."

What Ronald said was also the golden rule that Hollywood had always followed. Montgomery Clift, one of the most famous male stars in Hollywood at the time, was a person of different orientation. But Elizabeth Taylor, who had been secretly in love with him for a long time, never knew his privacy until they were filming "The Man with the Heart" and Taylor was rejected by her boyfriend. Then she realized it.

Taylor kept the secret until many years after Montgomery Clift's confession, when biographer Robert Laguerre revealed it. Montgomery's family and friends, including Taylor, condemned the biography for focusing too much on revealing his privacy and too little on describing him as an actor.

"I won't ask, and you won't tell, right?" Commander William suddenly stopped and asked Ronald.

"Well, this approach works very well..." Ronald also used Montgomery Clift as an example to talk about how Hollywood deals with such problems.

As long as Montgomery Clift could kiss Elizabeth Taylor on screen like a couple and move audiences, his privacy would remain private.

"You know what? You just gave me a great inspiration. Hahaha..." President William smiled and patted Ronald on the shoulder, then took the opportunity to hug him close...

"Huh?..." Ronald felt his hair stand on end...

"Well, I don't know how my predecessor did it, but you've been to the White House several times. Can you also invite female stars here... to attend my private screenings... er, public events..."

"Oh?!" Ronald didn't expect to hear such vicious words in the White House, but his original doubts were gone. Before he could answer, Mrs. Rodham hurried over.

"Oh, dear, you really should listen to what Ronald said about my selection of curtains and china..." Then she took advantage of the situation and inserted herself between Ronald and the commander-in-chief, holding her husband's hand, and firmly and unquestionably asked Ronald not to whisper to her husband behind her back with her body language...

Who knows what he's up to? That Harvey Weinstein looks like a pimp.

"Oh? What's your comment?" The commander-in-chief was a little disappointed.

"Very good taste, I can't help but take some photos and discuss with my art director to learn from this combination..."

"Ah, hahaha... I wonder if I can get my name in your movie?" Mrs. Rodham laughed very happily.

"I absolutely agree. Even if the industry union stipulates that people who are not members do not have the right to sign, I am willing to protest for you!"

"Thank you, thank you, Ronald. What's the name of your next movie? Forrest Gump? And the scenes in the White House? Then you must bring it here and show it..." Rodham felt very touched by Ronald's words, although it reminded her of the time when she was rejected by the New York Bar Association... These people are useless and will only prevent geniuses from entering the industry they are supposed to enter.

If she hadn't married William, she might have been a successful actor in Los Angeles.

……

“I believe very strongly that the policies and laws of this country must be made from a perspective that does not discriminate against anyone… No one can tell anyone else what they should or should not do…

The policy that is being announced today is what I believe is the right thing to do and the best way to do it, which is to strike a balance between these people who happen to be in the minority and their desire to serve our country...."

A few days later, the President gave a televised speech announcing the implementation of a policy called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the US military.